The early summer is the best time for killing vipers, since the males, which at other seasons hide themselves, may now often be found. Warm heaths and banks exposed to the sun are the places which they frequent. The common snake, on the other hand, loves water, or may be found in a hay-field or near an old barn or on a dung-heap. The snake lays eggs and leaves them to be hatched by the heat of the dung or the rays of the sun, taking no care whatever for her progeny. The viper, on the contrary, brings forth her young alive and tends them carefully, even allowing them, according to fairly well-accredited narratives, to retreat in case of danger into her mouth and gullet. The first aid in case of viper-bite should consist in placing a tight ligature (string or a boot-lace) around the limb above the punctures. This should be as tight as possible so as to prevent the circulation of the blood and passage of the venom towards the heart. Next, incisions should be made across the punctures, or if circumstances are favourable, the bit of skin comprising the two punctures may be cut out. The wound thus made should be sucked or well bathed so as to favour bleeding, and to remove as much of the poison as can be got away. If ammonia or potash, or Jeye’s fluid or Condy’s fluid be at hand the wound should be continuously bathed with a weak solution of it. The ligature, if tight, should not be kept on for more than an hour, but by this time medical advice will probably have been obtained. To combat the faintness, &c., brandy, or still better ammonia (that is, sal volatile or hartshorn well diluted), should be given. [1] _Coronella lævis_, or _austriaca_. [2] _Tropidonotus natrix_, or _Natrix vulgaris_. [3] _Pelias berus_, or _Coluber verus_. * * * * * THE VIVARIUM. (HASLEMERE MUSEUM.) During June and July the botany of a district may be very fully illustrated in the Museum-vivarium. Mr. Douglas Taylor, who has charge of that department in our Museum, experiences no difficulty in exhibiting one hundred species simultaneously. No very rare species are exhibited. At the present time the only plants in our collection to which the term “uncommon” may be applied are herb Paris, bird’s nest orchis, Solomon’s seal, and climbing corydalis. The flowers are arranged, in zinc cylinders, on an ordinary florist’s stand. For the printed labels now in use we are indebted to the generosity of E. E. Lowe, Esq., F.L.S., of the Plymouth Museum. Vipers and grass snakes are not difficult to obtain (see page 53). The former, when discovered, should be carefully pinned with a stick, whilst a vasculum (or large bottle) containing leaves and heather is placed before it. Upon release the viper, judiciously guided by the stick, will take refuge in the receptacle prepared for it. Grass-snakes thrive well in captivity, their chief food being frogs and mice. On the other hand, the English viper nearly always refuses food under such conditions.